Toxic new drug hits the streets

BUNDABERG Police fear a batch of the potentially fatal recreational drug dubbed "Louis Vuitton" could be circulating in the city after a man was hospitalised for a suspected overdose at the weekend.

While it has similar properties to an ecstasy pill, the drug's main ingredient is para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), which is more potent and has been blamed for the death of a 22-year-old Brisbane man in August, as well as several other overdoses.

Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Senior Sergeant Joe Hildred said a man in his early 20s was treated at Bundaberg Hospital early Saturday.

"Inquiries by police with a number of his friends have led us to believe this type of pill may have been consumed, which had been purchased earlier in Bundaberg," he said.

"It's very concerning ... if this drug is present in the community."

Det Snr Sgt Hildred said as well as the drug being illegal, it was highly toxic.

"This drug has killed people," he said.

"It can have different effects and can be lethal in high doses."

He said all forms of ecstasy and illicit drugs were dangerous no matter what they were marked with.

"Any type of dangerous drug is extremely poisonous," he said.

Det Snr Sgt Hildred said investigations into the supplier were continuing.

"We take a hard line against people who are supplying this poison to our young people," he said.

"We know ecstasy is here, but it's the first time I've heard of this particular branded ecstasy being in the town."

Bundaberg Hospital medical services director Michael Hills said the hospital had not seen a noticeable increase in overdoses from illicit drugs in the past few months.

"There's been no noticeable surge that would suggest this drug is widely in circulation, but we will continue to look for it," Dr Hills said.

"We continue to see large numbers of patients affected by alcohol who are injured.

"Alcohol continues to be the single greatest cause of injury and intoxication that we see every week at the hospital."

Det Snr Sgt said detectives were appealing for public assistance to help locate the supplier.

"We're really encouraging members of the public who may know who is supplying this type of drug to contact me personally or Crime Stoppers," he said.

"Their identity would remain confidential."

If you have information regarding the sale of the "Louis Vuitton" drug in Bundaberg, call Det Snr Sgt Hildred on 4153 9066 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.